Chapter 1: Burn Divine-level techniques as firewood

Eastern Region.

Celestial River Sect.

Veil Peak.

In the midst of the cold twelfth lunar month, the world was blanketed in snow, as far as the eye could see.

"Sigh..."

Clothed in layers of cotton, Zhong Qing sat beside the stove, unable to suppress a long sigh.

He had traversed this world for five years, spending all five years on Veil Peak.

Despite being one of the Celestial River Sect's Seven Peaks, Veil Peak was merely a title for Zhong Qing, with practically no significance.

Zhong Qing's elevation to Peak Master was largely due to his master, Daoist Nai.

While other peaks were teeming with disciples, Daoist Nai remained alone until he reluctantly took Zhong Qing as his disciple.

It was less a matter of Daoist Nai seeing something in him and more of a necessity, picking up Zhong Qing by chance to fulfill a task.

Being Daoist Nai's first disciple, Zhong Qing's presence caused quite a stir in the Celestial River Sect at the time.

Zhong Qing had believed he possessed remarkable talent and anticipated reaching the pinnacle of life.

But who would have known? He was nothing but a complete waste.

Nevertheless, Daoist Nai didn't seek another disciple, and Zhong Qing received all the treatment he was entitled to.

Initially, life was decent. Despite being the only two on Veil Peak, Daoist Nai's strength was sufficient to match other peaks, and no one dared to gossip.

However, everything changed when Daoist Nai's life token shattered during one of his travels, leaving behind his helpless disciple.

Due to Daoist Nai's significant contributions to the sect, Veil Peak was not dissolved but passed down to Zhong Qing, his sole disciple.

In a declining era, without Daoist Nai's support, Zhong Qing's days became increasingly difficult.

As a transmigrator, Zhong Qing had not missed out on the benefits of transmigration.

Less than a month after Daoist Nai's death, he awakened a system that allowed him to sign in daily.

Just as Zhong Qing thought he was finally about to reach the peak of life, he discovered that the system was utterly useless!

Because the rewards from daily sign-ins had nothing to do with cultivation.

For instance, the sacred-grade cultivation technique he held was obtained through signing in.

Cultivation techniques and treasures were graded from one to nine, with ranks beyond nine including King, Emperor, Venerable, Celestial, and Emperor.

A Celestial-grade cultivation technique was undoubtedly high-level, capable of causing a bloodbath with a mere flick. However, for someone like him, who lacked cultivation, having techniques alone was useless...

What's the point?

Zhong Qing tossed the cultivation technique directly into the nearby stove.

The flames blazed brightly, casting a warm glow on Zhong Qing's reddened face.

Of course, it was uncomfortable!

On such a cold day, how long could a book last when burned? Wouldn't it freeze him?

Zhong Qing got up and dragged over a sack filled with cultivation techniques from the side, tossing several into the stove from time to time to keep the fire burning brightly.

A pot of water was boiling on the stove, and due to the intense heat, it quickly emitted a buzzing sound.

Zhong Qing poured himself a cup of tea, taking a sip in the cold winter, feeling comfortable.

In fact, he had gained some experience over the years.

The cultivation techniques he obtained from daily sign-ins each year were just enough to burn throughout the winter. However, with a few more golden sign-ins, he might end up with half a warehouse leftover after the winter.

Of course.

The sign-ins didn't just reward cultivation techniques; they also offered treasures and divine weapons.

Like the axe at the door for chopping firewood, or the kitchen knife in the kitchen...

In addition to these, the orchard and pond behind the mountain, the vegetable garden at the door, the scarecrow in the vegetable garden, and even the two eggs in his hand were all obtained through sign-ins.

In short, all sorts of bizarre things were available.

However, despite all this, Zhong Qing remained speechless.

No matter how powerful the cultivation techniques and divine weapons were, without cultivation, they were like chicken ribs.

He was a typical example of having a treasure but being unable to use it.

And he dared not reveal these things to others. The principle of a gentleman being without fault, keeping his treasures close, was something he understood.

Life was unpredictable, truly unpredictable!

Just as he thought that, a stream of light appeared in the distant sky.

Looking up, he saw a white crane flying from the distant sky.

"My Veil Peak seldom receives visitors, why is someone coming now?"

Just as he was puzzled, the white crane had already arrived above his head. On the crane stood a young boy, looking down at Zhong Qing with a teasing gaze, not even bothering to address him.

He couldn't understand the Sect Master's decision.

What's the point of having this waste participate in the disciple recruitment event?

Zhong Qing remained expressionless, having no interest in the recruitment event and not wanting to subject himself to such ridicule and mockery.

Just as he was about to refuse, a voice sounded in his mind.

"The system has issued a new task."

"Host, hurry to Veil Peak for the disciple recruitment event: upon successfully recruiting the specified disciple, the Waste Constraint will be activated for the Host."

"Waste Constraint: 1/2 All disciples under the Host's care will have their cultivation speed increased by a hundredfold, and the cultivation of all disciples will be returned to the Host a thousandfold. 2/2 All disciples under the Host's care will have their cultivation speed increased by a hundredfold, and the cultivation of all disciples will be returned to the Host ten thousandfold."

Upon hearing the system's voice, Zhong Qing's calm expression suddenly lit up.

Five years.

Had the moment finally arrived after waiting for five years?

Would his treasure trove finally find its use?

Moreover, this Constraint System sounded too amazing; for example, merely activating a single Waste Constraint could increase a disciple's cultivation speed by a hundredfold while returning a thousandfold to himself.

If it were stacked, wouldn't each day of a disciple's cultivation equate to ten thousand days of his own cultivation?

As for activating the dual Waste Constraints, that would be even more amazing.

"Alright, I'll definitely arrive tomorrow." Zhong Qing got up and declared.

"You'd better set off right away. After all, the journey from here to Veil Peak is long. You don't want to arrive after the recruitment event is over." The boy smirked. "Actually, I could have taken you there on the crane, but my companion has a strange temper. If it doesn't like someone, it might throw you off."

With that, the boy smirked coldly and rode away on the crane.

Zhong Qing paid no attention to the boy's words.

As long as the Constraint was activated, it wouldn't take long. Even if it were the entire Celestial River Sect, so what?

After a simple cleanup, he headed towards Veil Peak.